Having trouble affording veterinary care?

Help is out there

It could happen to anyone with a pet: You've always managed to give your pet the medical care they deserve, but because of unexpected circumstances, you're faced with vet expenses that are far beyond your ability to afford them.

No owner wants a pet to suffer because medical care is out of reach. Financial aid is out there, and there are steps you can take to cover an emergency vet bill.

Please remember that, depending on the severity of your pet's illness or injury, you may still lose your pet even after great expense. Discuss the prognosis and treatment options with your veterinarian, including whether surgery or treatment would just cause your companion discomfort without preserving a life of good quality.

Finding available aid

In your state

Working with veterinarians

Negotiate a payment plan with your vet. If you're a client in good standing, they may be happy to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan. However, a vet you've never been to may not agree to such a plan.

Offer to perform a service for your vet like cleaning kennels, answering phones or other work in lieu of cash.

Get a second opinion. You'll pay a consultation fee, but another vet may have other, less expensive ways to treat your pet.

Use a vet in a less expensive area. Vets in smaller towns tend to charge lower fees.

Fundraising and temporary credit

If you have a credit card, ask for a limit increase or talk with your bank about loan options. Many veterinarians accept Care Credit, which is a credit card specifically for health care expenses, including your pet's. Care Credit offers multiple payment options that may help you through your pet's crisis. You can find out more information about Care Credit and fill out an application on their website. Consumers should take care to understand the terms of any credit they accept.

Groups like RedRover also allow you to apply for financial aid if you can't afford veterinary care for your pet.

Try a fundraising platform such as YouCaring enable you to create a personal fundraising page to raise funds for pet medical care. They charge a small percentage of funds raised. Additionally, selling items on sites like eBay or hosting a yard sale can be effective ways of raising money for pet care.

More Resources

It may not help in the current crisis, but you should consider purchasing pet health insurance for future medical needs. We recommend PetPlan.

Still looking for help?

Contact your local animal shelter. Some shelters have onsite low-cost veterinary clinics or work with local vets who are willing to reduce their charges. Some also have veterinary loan or grant programs.